Etihad launches cargo service to Baghdad

posted on 29/08/2009: 22 views

Etihad Crystal Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, is to launch a twice weekly service from its hub at Abu Dhabi airport to Baghdad.

The service, which will begin on September 1, will operate every Tuesday and Thursday, with Etihad deploying one of its A300-600 freighters with a payload of 42 tonnes on the route.

Baghdad is Etihad's first cargo-only destination in the Middle East and this is the first time in its history that the airline has operated any service to Iraq.

Des Vertannes, executive vice president for cargo said: "We are very proud to launch Etihad's first services to Baghdad and assist in the country's reconstruction.

"Trade and business ties between the UAE and Iraq continue to grow and we look forward to building a strong customer base in the country, which is widely considered one of the region's fastest growing markets."

With its fleet of two Airbus A300-600 aircraft and an MD11, Etihad Crystal Cargo has 14 cargo freighter destinations including Frankfurt Haan, Mumbai, Lagos, Colombo and Milan.

The first flight to Baghdad operates on Tuesday, September 1.

It will operate every Tuesday and Thursday between Abu Dhabi and Baghdad.

Flight EY981 departs from Abu Dhabi at 6am and arrives in Baghdad at 7.15am.

The return flight, EY980, departs from Baghdad at 11.15am and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 2.30pm. All times are local. – Gulf News

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